Genesee County will spend $58,800 to study county owned buildings to determine just how energy efficient they are. The full legislature last night OK’ed a contract with an Amherst firm to conduct the study of 14 county buildings. Only the nursing home is being left out of the study because it’s future is uncertain.The whole idea is find ways to save energy and its related costs. The county also hopes to get a grant from New York State that would pay for half of the study.

A former Elba resident will spend 90-days in jail and five more years on probation for welfare fraud.

36-year-old Kelly Spenton was sentenced yesterday in Genesee County Court. Spenton admitted she lied to the Social Services Department and collected $21,625 in benefits she was not entitled to between 2005 and 2008. Authorities said during that time another person was living in Spenton’s household who was employed.

Batavia fire officials say it could be several days or even weeks before a final cause of Tuesday’s fatal fire on State Street can be determined.

Early indications point to careless smoking while oxygen was in use. 57-year-old Mary Pawlukiewicz, who had a known history of smoking while using oxygen, died in that fire. Two other families are homeless. Read full story.

Robitaille suffered the injury last week in a minor car accident. After the mishap, tests revealed a compressed spinal cord in his neck. Robitaille was listed in serious but stable condition last night.

Appliance stores in Western New York are bracing for an onslaught of rebate business. The government funded Cash for Appliances program begins Friday and there is concern that money will run out even faster than it did during the Cash for Clunkers automobile program. Area appliance stores are getting ready to move all kinds of appliances which qualify under the state's 17-million-dollar portion of a 300-million-dollar national rebate program. The aim of the program is to get rid of old energy-hungry appliances and replace them with more efficient ones. The program for retailers kicks off Friday at midnight and runs through February 21st if the money lasts.